Scientific Name
Mulloidichthys martinicus

Common Name
Yellow goatfish

Biology
Found over sandy areas of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Often in schools (Ref. 26938). Forms schools with the smallmouth grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum), an association regarded as social protective mimicry (Ref. 52492). Juveniles are common in seagrass beds (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 7313). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3792).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1829

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Goatfishes (Mullidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Florida, USA to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 9626). Eastern Atlantic: single record from Ile de S?o Tiago, Baie de Tarrafal, Cape Verde (Ref. 7313). Reported from S?o Tom? Island (Ref. 34088).

Range

32°N - 33°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

49 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 49 m (Ref. 9710), usually 0 - 35 m (Ref. 40849)

Trophic Level

3.18 s.e. 0.36 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

39.4 cm

Common Length

28.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated